Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in a runoff Tuesday, defeating four-term Sen. John Cornyn—making Cornyn the first Texas Republican senator to lose a renomination bid. The contest underscored President Donald Trum
PLANO, Texas — The applause came in waves as the race was called Tuesday night, rolling through a ballroom where supporters held Ken Paxton signs and waited for the moment their candidate would take the stage.
When Paxton’s victory was confirmed. chants of “Ken. Ken. Ken” rose up. and he quickly turned to the fight that carried him here. “When everyone in Washington told him to abandon me and abandon the people of Texas. he didn’t listen. ” Paxton said. “President Trump is the leader of our party, and his endorsement is the most powerful force in politics.”.
His win over four-term Sen. John Cornyn wasn’t just a rout in a runoff—it was the first time a Texas Republican senator lost the party’s nomination for reelection.
Cornyn, at his own watch party, acknowledged the loss and said he would still back Paxton in the general election. “Tonight we’ve come up short,” Cornyn said. “A few years ago. I had a friend of mine say. ‘You know what makes God laugh?’ He said. ‘When we make plans.’” He added. “I’ve always supported the Republican ticket. and I intend to do so again.”.
Trump’s endorsement, which came after early voting had already begun last week, became the central lever in the runoff. Trump endorsed Paxton last week. calling him a “true MAGA warrior. ” and in a social media post after the endorsement he wrote that Paxton had “gone through a lot. in many cases. very unfairly. ” but “he is a Fighter. and knows how to win.” In his endorsement message. Trump also took aim at Cornyn. saying Cornyn “was not supportive of me when times were tough” and that “John was very late in backing me.”.
Cornyn pushed back, telling Fox News Radio’s “The Brian Kilmeade Show” that the president’s anger was misplaced. “There are ‘grifters,’” he said, “claiming that I am opposed to the president’s agenda, and I think that’s caused some confusion with the president himself. But I’ve been supportive.”
The matchup was shaped by a long, expensive primary that began in March and spilled into Tuesday’s runoff. Cornyn led Paxton in the March primary but failed to win a majority, setting up the runoff. Over the months, Cornyn and his supporters waged a monthslong ad campaign, mostly attacking Paxton over ethical and personal questions.
Those attacks were built on a history that has dogged Paxton. He was acquitted on corruption charges in a 2023 impeachment trial in which allegations of extramarital affairs surfaced. Paxton’s wife filed for divorce last year, citing “biblical grounds.”
Money flowed as both sides tried to define the stakes for voters. The campaign and allied groups backing Cornyn spent roughly $109 million on advertising for the March 3 primary and Tuesday’s runoff. Paxton’s side was outspent. too: pro-Cornyn groups continued their attack. outpacing Paxton’s campaign and two allied super PACs—spending $16.5 million to $5.9 million since March 3. according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact.
One reason Republicans said this fight mattered is what it could cost in the general election. Some GOP strategists argued that a Paxton nomination would require more money to promote in the fall. while funds might better be directed toward defending Republican seats in more competitive states. Democrats, meanwhile, need to gain a net of four seats to take the majority.
Paxton’s path now turns toward the general election. He will run against state Rep. James Talarico in November.
The contest that produced Paxton’s nomination was part of a larger set of Texas races decided Tuesday. The runoffs also included Democratic U.S. House nominations for districts in Dallas and Houston that overwhelmingly support Democrats, as well as a San Antonio-area seat the party wants to flip.
In the Dallas area, newly elected Rep. Christian Menefee defeated veteran Rep. Al Green in Texas’ 18th District. ending a run by an incumbent who had been one of Trump’s most outspoken critics. The Republican-led Texas Legislature redrew the district after it approved a new House map last year. leading to a runoff between incumbents and marking the end of a dizzying series of elections in the Houston area.
Further east, former Rep. Colin Allred and U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson are competing in the Dallas-area 33rd District. Johnson was elected to the seat in 2024—the same year Allred lost his U.S. Senate challenge to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. Allred had been running for Senate again this cycle. but dropped his bid and instead is looking to return to the House.
Near San Antonio. Democratic leaders are trying to prevent Maureen Galindo—who has expressed antisemitic views—from winning the party’s runoff with Johnny Garcia. While Texas lawmakers redrew the 35th District to help Republicans. Democrats view it as within reach and don’t want Galindo’s past comments to impede them.
The story has been corrected to show that voter David Jacobson is 70, not 71.
Ken Paxton John Cornyn Texas Senate runoff GOP nomination Donald Trump endorsement MAGA election 2026 James Talarico Christian Menefee Al Green
So Cornyn lost like that? I thought he was untouchable lol.
This is what happens when you let Trump pick the winners again. Paxton was already gonna win anyway, right? Also why is everyone chanting Ken like it’s a concert.
Cornyn losing just proves Texas is rigged / whatever. Like they already had it set and then Trump pulled some lever. I’m not saying Paxton is bad but the fact it says “endorsement” means it was decided before votes.
Wait… so this was a GOP runoff, not the general. Why does the article make it sound like he already “won the Senate”? I swear these election stories always confuse me. Anyway I guess Cornyn will “still back” him, but that doesn’t mean he agrees with him, just means party stuff.